The role of patch testing in stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis, a chronic varicose inflammation of the skin of the lower legs, frequently is complicated by the development of contact hypersensitivity. This retrospective study of forty-six patients with stasis dermatitis found a 60.9 percent incidence of at least one significantly positive patch test reaction. The two allergens that elicited positive reactions most commonly were neomycin and epoxy resin. These results and those of other authors reinforce our contention that patch testing should be a part of the routine work-up of patients with stasis dermatitis.